This invention relates to a supercapacitor assembly having an asymmetric supercapacitor, a diode, and a switch in parallel with the diode. The asymmetric supercapacitor has at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, and at least one separator impregnated with an electrolyte. The diode has an anode and a cathode, the cathode being electrically connected to the supercapacitor.
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1. A supercapacitor assembly comprising: an asymmetric supercapacitor having at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, and at least one separator impregnated with an electrolyte; a diode having an anode and a cathode, the cathode being electrically connected to the supercapacitor; and a switch coupled in parallel with the diode, the supercapacitor assembly further comprising a housing enclosing the supercapacitor, the diode and the switch, with at least two terminals located on an outer surface of the housing, a first of the at least two terminals being configured to connect the supercapacitor assembly to a motor and a second of the at least two terminals being configured to connect the supercapacitor assembly to a power supply.
A supercapacitor module for starting engines contains an asymmetric supercapacitor (with positive/negative electrodes and electrolyte-soaked separator), a diode (allowing current flow in one direction), and a switch wired in parallel with the diode. The entire assembly (supercapacitor, diode, switch) is enclosed in a housing, with two external terminals. One terminal connects the module to the engine's motor. The other terminal connects the module to a power supply (like a battery). This allows the supercapacitor to assist in engine starting.
2. The supercapacitor assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a resistor connected in series with the switch and in parallel with the diode when switch is closed.
The supercapacitor module described previously also contains a resistor connected in series with the switch, and this combination is wired in parallel with the diode. This means that when the switch is closed, the resistor is also in parallel with the diode, affecting the current flow when the supercapacitor is engaged. This resistor likely limits current when the switch is closed.
3. The supercapacitor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the positive electrode of the supercapacitor is connected to the cathode of the diode.
In the supercapacitor module from the previous description, the positive electrode of the supercapacitor is connected to the cathode (negative side) of the diode. This specific connection configuration affects how the supercapacitor charges and discharges, and how it interacts with the diode to prevent reverse current flow to the power supply.
4. The supercapacitor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one positive electrode includes a nickel-based hydroxide and one nickel-based current collector.
In the supercapacitor module from the previous description, the positive electrode of the supercapacitor is made from a nickel-based hydroxide material on top of a nickel-based current collector. This specific material composition is chosen for its charge storage capabilities and performance within the supercapacitor.
5. The supercapacitor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one negative electrode includes an active carbon.
In the supercapacitor module from the previous description, the negative electrode of the supercapacitor is made from activated carbon. This specific material is chosen for its high surface area and ability to store charge, contributing to the overall performance of the supercapacitor.
6. The supercapacitor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte is an alkaline electrolyte.
In the supercapacitor module from the previous description, the electrolyte used to impregnate the separator is an alkaline electrolyte. This electrolyte type is chosen for its compatibility with the electrode materials and its ionic conductivity, enabling efficient charge transfer within the supercapacitor.
7. The supercapacitor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the diode is a blocking diode of sufficient power and current rating to support recharging of the supercapacitor.
In the supercapacitor module from the previous description, the diode is a "blocking diode". This diode has sufficient power and current handling capability to handle the recharging of the supercapacitor. Its primary function is to prevent current from flowing back from the supercapacitor into the power supply (like a battery), ensuring unidirectional charging.
8. A starting module comprising: the supercapacitor assembly according to claim 1 , a motor connected to the supercapacitor of the supercapacitor assembly, and a power supply connected to the diode of the supercapacitor assembly at a same node.
An engine starting module uses the supercapacitor module described previously (asymmetric supercapacitor, diode, and switch in parallel within a housing with terminals). It also includes an engine's motor connected to the supercapacitor within that assembly, and a power supply connected to the diode of the supercapacitor module at a common connection point. This setup allows the supercapacitor to supplement the power supply during engine start.
9. The starting module according to claim 8 , wherein the supercapacitor is coupled in parallel with the power supply, and the power supply in conjunction with the supercapacitor supply power to the motor.
The starting module described previously has the supercapacitor wired in parallel with the power supply, and together they provide power to the engine's motor. The supercapacitor assists the power supply, especially when the power supply alone is insufficient to start the engine. The diode and switch control when the supercapacitor provides that boost.
10. The starting module according to claim 8 , wherein the first terminal is the only terminal which connects the motor to the supercapacitor assembly.
In the starting module described previously, the first terminal of the supercapacitor module (the one that connects to the engine) is the *only* terminal that connects the motor to the supercapacitor assembly. This simplifies the wiring and ensures that the supercapacitor assembly is the primary interface between the motor and the rest of the electrical system.
11. The starting module according to claim 8 , wherein the diode is a blocking diode of sufficient power and current rating to support recharging of the supercapacitor.
In the starting module described previously, the diode is a "blocking diode" with enough power and current capacity to support recharging the supercapacitor. The blocking diode prevents the supercapacitor from discharging back into the power supply.
12. A method of starting a motor as a result of a battery not having enough charge to start the motor alone using a starting module comprising the supercapacitor assembly according to claim 7 , comprising: connecting the starting module to the battery; activating the switch to close the switch and effectively removing the diode from the circuit; temporarily supplying energy from the supercapacitor to engage the motor; after starting the motor, opening the switch such that the supercapacitor and the power supply are only coupled together with a diode.
A method for starting an engine (when the battery is weak) uses the starting module from the seventh description (supercapacitor assembly). The process: 1) connect the starting module to the battery (power supply); 2) close the switch, bypassing the diode; 3) the supercapacitor provides a burst of energy to start the motor; 4) after the engine starts, open the switch, so only the diode connects the supercapacitor and power supply. This allows the power supply to recharge the supercapacitor, prevented from draining it via the motor by the now open switch.
13. A supercapacitor assembly comprising: a supercapacitor connected to a first node; a switch connected between the first node and a second node; a diode coupled in parallel with the switch and having a first terminal connected to the first node and a second terminal connected to the second node, the supercapacitor assembly further comprising a housing enclosing the supercapacitor, the diode and the switch, with at least two terminals located on an outer surface of the housing, a first of the at least two terminals being configured to connect the supercapacitor assembly to a motor and a second of the at least two terminals being configured to connect the supercapacitor assembly to a power supply.
A supercapacitor assembly includes a supercapacitor connected to a central point ("first node"). A switch connects this node to another point ("second node"). A diode is wired in parallel with the switch, with its terminals connected to the first and second nodes. The supercapacitor, diode, and switch are inside a housing with two external terminals: one to connect to a motor and one to connect to a power supply.
14. The supercapacitor assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising a resistor connected between the switch and the second node.
The supercapacitor assembly from the previous description includes a resistor connected between the switch and the second node. So, when the switch is closed, current flows through both the switch and the resistor to the second node. This resistor likely limits the current flowing when the switch is active.
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March 13, 2015
May 30, 2017
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